2025 Defense IT Flywheel Awards
The Defense IT Flywheel Award nominations are open!
The Flywheel Awards recognize the accomplishments made by federal employees and the programs that they work on that transform and innovate federal technology.
Awards Timeline:
- Entry Deadline Extended: December 30, 2024
- Finalists Announced: January 6, 2025
- Winners Announced: February 27, 2025 at the Defense IT Summit in Arlington, VA
If you can’t access the link below, you can scan the QR code to view the nomination form.
The Defense IT Flywheel Award Categories
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Rising Star
The Rising Star is a newcomer to national security IT and demonstrates a commitment to building innovative solutions to difficult national security problems.
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Emerging Tech Innovator
Technology moves faster than the speed of light. This awardee harnesses the new and emerging tools that move and change with expertise. With tech like machine learning, AI and large language models, the Emerging Tech Innovator is changing the national security environment and moving it into the future.
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Cyber Defender
The Cyber Defender is raising the digital ramparts amid innumerable threats. Risk management, zero trust and cyber hygiene are at the front of this awardee’s mind as they secure the perimeter of systems.
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Digital Transformer
The Digital Transformer demonstrates a passion for modernizing the national security data landscape. This awardee is committed to improving data interoperability between services.
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Data Advocate
Connecting the military services is the top priority for big-picture efforts like JADC2 and operating the joint force. Moving data globally at scale is key to the Data Advocate’s success as they work to use technology to connect sensors across the services with AI.
Why the Flywheel?
The flywheel — a critical component in a machine to increase its momentum — is also a critical symbol representing our goal to keep federal IT decision-makers informed on technology’s impact on government. This momentum is what fuels the constant need for transformers to innovate around the defense systems, infrastructure and tools that are keeping our nation safe.
Criteria:
- The Flywheel Awards are open to the federal IT community (federal employees).
- Entries that have won past Flywheel Awards are eligible for the current competition.
- Submissions are limited to 500 words
- All achievements must be from January 2024 – present.
Submissions Should Include
- The responsibilities that the nominee holds in the federal IT space.
- What aspects of their performance distinguish them as exceptional?
- What was accomplished in 2024 that is award worthy?
Tips
- These awards recognize individuals.
- Individuals at all job levels are eligible.
- When applicable, specify a particular project the individual excelled at over the past year.
Entries are judged by the GovCIO Media & Research Editorial Team.
If you have any questions, please contact our Director of Events, Ruslana Meyerson at [email protected].
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